15
But he, though parched with thirst, reasoned that a draught reputed of equal value to blood, would be terribly dangerous to his soul.
16
Wherefore, setting up reasoning in opposition to his desire, he poured out the draught to God.
17
For the temperate mind has power to conquer the pressure of the passions, and to quench the fires of excitement,
18
and to wrestle down the pains of the body, however excessive; and, through the excellency of reasoning, to abominate all the assaults of the passions.
19
But the occasion now invites us to give an illustration of temperate reasoning from history.
The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.